Human Rights Toolkit: WWDA Position Statements

WWDA POSITION STATEMENTS

WWDA Position Statement 1: The Right to Freedom from All Forms of Violence

International human rights law condemns violence against women in all its forms, whether it occurs in the home, schools, in institutions, the workplace, the community or in other public and private institutions, and regardless of who perpetrates it. Yet violence against women and girls with disability, in all its forms, is a global epidemic which, regardless of country or context, remains largely unacknowledged and unaddressed.

WWDA Position Statement 2: The Right to Decision-Making

The ability to make decisions, big and small, about every aspect of our lives and what we do is a fundamental human right. The decisions and choices that we make enable us to express our views, our personalities, our desires, our preferences, as well as our thoughts on what is important to us in life. Too often however, women and girls with disability are not allowed or supported to make their own decisions and choices, ranging from small choices about what to eat and what to wear, to the more important life choices, like where to live, with whom and whether or not to have a partner and/or children.

WWDA Position Statement 3: The Right to Participation

Meaningful participation across all aspects of cultural, social, economic and political life plays a significant role in the promotion of democratic governance, law, human development, empowerment, social inclusion, economic development, and the realisation of all other human rights. Participation of disabled women as citizens is at the basis of the recognition of our dignity.

WWDA Position Statement 4: Sexual and Reproductive Rights

Sexual and reproductive rights are fundamental human rights. They include the right to dignity, equality, autonomy and self-determination – the right of everyone to make free and informed decisions about, and have full control over – their body, sexuality, health, relationships, and if, when and with whom to partner, marry and have children, without any form of discrimination, stigma, coercion or violence.